Electromagnetic relay structure



(5. DEAKIN ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY STRUCTURE Sept. 28, 1948.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 11, 1945 1 e 4 ALP. 4. :1 w 0 i H ma 3 Hut 1 [W A M a m w 4. n 1 1T Q lfi m I i I w r. H A /w y S \l m w H F I 5 H Q m 5 mm F. A. W. F.

INVENTOK ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 28, 1948 2,449,981 ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAX STRUCTURE Gerald Deakin,

New York, N. Y., assignor to International Standard Electric Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application March 11, 1943, Serial No. 478,851

10 Claims. 1

This invention relates to relay switch structures and consists of improvements in the arrangement and design thereof adapted to be particularly compact, economical in the form and number of its parts and with a relative arrangement thereof designed materially to facilitate assembly in production and to permit more convenient dismantling for inspection and repair. It further includes an improved removable unit assembly of the switch housing element and associated contacts and wiring in a form to provide for maximum accessibility to the wiring and movable contacts to permit convenient inspection and adjustment thereof and to allow for preadiustment of contact tensions and relative movements prior to installation.

A further special object thereof is to provide, to a maximum degree, for a simplified insert or set-in method of assembling of the parts thereof to have an interlocked or retainingengagement relation thereby to very materially facilitate and economize in the initial assembling or dismantling operations with reduced cost of maintenance. In addition it is designed to be particularly efficient in the use of power and reliable in its operation and moreover provides for dust lproof protection of the operating parts or switching contacts which is an important factor in the efficient operation of devices of this character over long periods.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present improvements will be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals are applied to the corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings: s

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation showing the improved relay switch structure;

Fig. ,2 is a central, vertical sectional view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a partial vertical, longitudinal section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a. detail vertical sectional view on line 4--4 of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 5 is a detail horizontal sectional view of the armature taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly showing a desirable modification adapted for front of panel lead-in connection;

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a modified supporting arrangement for the movable contacts;

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation showing a modification adapted for twin relay operation;

Fig. 9 is a central, vertical cross-section through the housing portion thereof, and

Fig. 10 is a detail, longitudinal and vertical sectional view on line Iii-i0 of Fig. 9.

In the preferred embodiment of the features of the present invention as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 the improved relayswitch device is shown of a design adapted for readily detachable assembly with a supporting and co-operating traction magnet therefor. The improved structure includes a housing or enclosure for removable switch parts consisting of a molded housing member i which is fully open at both top and bottom but closed on its four sides, in the form of a rectangular wall enclosure. In the longitudinal side walls are molded holes and recesses for receiving terminal members consisting of the upper series of terminal contact pins 1 and the lower series of terminal contact members 2 and the end walls thereof are provided with bearing apertures to receive a rack member 4, or operating member, of molded insulating material, the latter extend ing longitudinally through the housing and projecting through each end thereof as shown in Fig. 1. This contact box unit as shown is designed for three sets of make and break contacts at each side thereof but may be made longer or shorter to incorporate the designed number of switching contacts to meet any reasonable capacity and desired combination. The movable contacts or switch elements are as shown in the form of springs 5 of double prong or bifurcated form supported and carried by molded insulating supporting parts 8. The springs are. as shown. formed to be sprung over the support 8 into shallow grooves formed therein and retained by resiliently gripping the part 8'. "For'ea'ch of the circuit closing switch arrangements similar springs are provided in duplicate so as to afford the desired double contact in the circuit closing function.

The upper extremities of the contact springs are positioned as shown whereby upon being moved in one direction or the other the prongs thereof will engage respectively with the terminal pins 2 on the opposite sides of the spring contacts alternately as the springs are shifted. The terminal pins 2 and the springs 5 as indicated may desirably be provided with contact points of a metal suited for such service, in cooperative contact relation. The movable contact supporting members 6 are formed with longitudinal bores for the bearing pins 3 fitted to bearing apertures in the housing. At their upper portions the supports 8 are formed with gear teeth positioned to mesh with cooperating teeth on the underside of the rack member 4 whereby longitudinal movement of the latter will oscillate the supporting member 6 for shifting of the contact springs. As best shown in Fig. 1 a flat spring 8 is positioned to engage the end of the operating rack 4 normally to urge the rack in the right hand direction as shown in Fig. 1 thereby to cause the contact springs 6 to engage the right hand terminal pins 2. The other extremity of the rack as shown is engaged by a movable armature member 1 which when attracted by its cooperative magnet will cause the rack to move from right to left against the influence of the flat spring I and thereby cause the opposite-prong of the spring contact to make contact with the terminal 2 of the left hand side thereof for the closing of another circuit as will be understood.

The contact springs 5 are connected at their lower portions by flexible conductors to terminal connector members In formed with the terminal heads 2' integral therewith. These connectors III are of inverted yoke form to spring over the lower edges of the housing side walls and have the outer portions thereof upwardly extending within the housing recesses to position the terminal heads 2' to overlie the ends of the bearing pins 3 with interposed insulating washers as shown. In the assembling of the switch housing unit as described the springs 5, after the attachment of the flexible conductors 9 thereto, are slipped over the support 6 which is held in position and the bearing pins inserted. The terminal connectors are then forced into position within the recesses of the housing as shown with the heads 2 overlying the ends of the pins 3. Insertion of the terminal pins 2 completes the switch unit assembly.

As will be appreciated, by adjusting the two prongs of the contact spring 5 the eil'ectlve contacting may be so adjusted as to break before make or make before break as may be required. It is also possible to adiust the different contacts so that some close before the others. The tension between the contact spring 5 and it cooperating stationary contact pin is determined by the inherent tension in the spring and when making contact with the pin the spring is desirably slightly bowed to effect efiicient closing.

The housing unit as described, desirably is fully assembled and adjusted in its entirety and is then placed in position on the plug-in jack member indicated at 20. In so assembling, the housing sets with dust tight fit into a groove molded in the part 20. It is then secured by screws II fitted to apertures in lugs formed on the housing and threaded in the part 20. The top of the housing i covered by a suitable removable and desirably transparent dust proof cover 21.

The member 20 as indicated is supported upon the magnet and armature unit assembly consisting of magnet coil l I and core 25 having the pole pieces I2 and I3 and a movable armature I. To the lower pole piece there is welded a stop member it to limit the magnet gap and the lower portion of the armature I is loosely held in relation thereto by the U-shaped piece ll welded to the armature I and having two extremities turned inwardly in overlying spaced relation with the stop. The member i5 thus retains the armature l in its position while allowing a slight free movement thereof when magnetized. The maximum air gap between the upper pole piece I! and a non-magnetic stop or contact i1 provided on the armature is regulated by the provision of a suitable adjustable connection between the upper end of the armature and the switch operating rack 4. As shown this consists of the arrangement of a spool connector member i8 adjustably threaded upon a screw stud extension I! of the rack 4. The upper end of the armature, as will be understood. i end slotted for connecting engagement with the spool and is loosely received between the annular heads of the spool whereby the movements of the spool and the movements of the armature and related spring 8 transmit shifting motion to the rack.

For completing of the series of circuits through the in-strumentality of the switching means carried by the housing. a series of vertically positioned resilient conductor bars or wires 21 are threaded through or molded in the member 20 and extend downwardly through a mounting plate 12 of insulating material for connection with the respective circuitwires. The upper resilient end portions of the conductor bars 2! are positioned for resilient and yielding engagement with the rounded external head portions of the terminal members 2 and 2' by engagement therewith within suitably formed curved or convex bottom grooves formed in the terminal head portions. A a result, vertical assembly of the housing to effect electrical contact with theseries of conductor bars is facilitated. For the purpose of good electrical contact the engaging portions of the bars 2| and the heads of the terminals 2 and I are desirably silver plated. This is economically permissible since the areas to be covered are small.

In the assembly a illustrated the insulating support 20, the upper pole piece it and the spring 8 engaging rack I are secured in position by a screw 22 threaded into the end of the magnet core I! with an interposed washer 2|. At the upper end portion the core 25 is milled for squared shoulder engagement with complemental openings in the received members 8, 20, and I2 to prevent the parts from turning and the lower end of the core is welded to the lower pole piece I! for rigidly supporting these parts. The winding H of the energizing coil is separately wound and then slipped over the core 25 prior to the assembling of the parts 28 and i2 therewith, the ends of the wiring being protected by interposed insulating washers II as indicated.

The improved relay switch device as described is such as to greatly facilitate the initial assembling of the component parts a well as the dismantling thereof for inspection, repair and replacement thereby oifering substantial economies in manufacture and repair work. Important features contributing thereto include permissible assembling of the parts within the open top and bottom housing member by the simple operations 0! slipping the spring contact members into position upon the support 6 with the flexible conductors attached to the member in and completing the assembly of this unit by the mere slipping into position of the terminal pins 2 and bearing pin 3 and the final positioning of the members III by pressing or slipping them into position over the lower edge of the housing in overlying relation with the bearing pins 3 for retaining the respective parts in the assembly; the rack of course having been correspondingly slipped into its end bearings in the housing member. The resulting readily accessible switching unit within the housing is readily and detachably secured to the supporting and operating magnet structure by the simple expedient of vertically assembling the switch unit with the latter with yielding and detachable engagement between the terminals 2-2 and the conductor bars 2| for completing the circuit and with the spool It inserted in the vertical slot of the armature I as described.

While a desirable embodiment of the features of the present improvements is shown in the structural design as herebefore referred to, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein. For instance, while the described arrangement provides for connection of the cirfor that purpose is shown in Fig. 6. In this modification the support or jack member 20 is made of greater depth and the resilient conductors or terminal members 2|, instead of being extended therethrough,. are supported by it and formed with inwardly extended upturned extremities or end portions to which the circuit wires may be connected; the latter entering through a hole in the forward extended portion of member 20 for connection to the respective conductors 2! within the central socket or recess thus formed in the part 20, which as will be noted i open at its upper side for ready accessibility upon removal of the housing unit. A further modification in the arrangement for closing of the circuits from the conductors 2| to the movable contacts 5 is shown in Fig. '7 wherein the movable contacts 5 are mounted directly upon the bearing pins 3' which have their outer ends bearing in the housing apertures and are of rounded form to be engaged by the complemental recesses of inwardly bearing end portions of the resilient conductor bars 2| which thereby make direct electrical connection through the pins 3 to the contact springs 5 which in this form are desirably welded'in position on the pins. With the engaging surfaces of the pin and the resilient conductor bar silver plated the electrica connection provided therebetween is of a reliable nature.

In Figs. 8 to 10 there is shown a further modification in the form of a twin relay structure (such as a combined line and cut-off relay for a telephony system) wherein the switching contact springs 5 at each side of the housing are operated independently by separate operating slide members 4', corresponding in function to the racks 4. These slides 4' are positioned centrally with relation to the contact springs operated thereby and extend longitudinally through the housing, fitting in bearing openings in the end walls thereof. The slides as best shown in Fig. 10 are formed with openings 28 to receive the lower lever extension portions of the spring contacts to effect the movement thereof as the o erating slide is shifted under the influence of the actuating ar' mature. In this construction oppositely positioned armatures are provided for engagement with the respective operating slides 4' to effect movement thereof in one direction and to effect the return movement flat springs 8 engage the oppositely extended ends of the slides as shown. The magnet assembly as illustrated consists of cores 30 and 3! welded to a middle pole piece 33. The free ends of the cores 3i and 30 are milled for square shoulder engagement respectively with the lower pole piece 32 and upper pole piece 34 and likewise with the supporting part 20. A line winding coil 35 is fitted to the core 30 and this winding when energized will attract the left hand armature 36 movably supportin upon the pole piece 33 as shown. A cut oil winding coil 31 is fitte'd to the core 31 and will when energized attract the oppositely positioned armature 38 movably supported upon the lower pole piece 32. The upper end portions of the movable armatures 36 and 38 are end slot-ted for engagement with adjustable spools 39 threaded to the ends of the respective slides 4 in similar manner to the construction as first described. As Will be readily understood this compact twin relay construction provides for independent operation of the movable contacts. in sets at each side of the housing unit in a manner which permits of varied operation to meet specific conditions of use.

The disclosed relay structure accordingly combines the described features of improvement in a manner to successfully meet the requirements of economical production costs, facility of assembllng and dismantling for maintenance, adaptability for pre-adjustments and economy of material and space and in addition is protectively dust tight to further contribute to reliability in operation.

What is claimed is:

1. A relay switch structure capable of separation into units for adjustment and the like, comprising a separable switch housing unit open at the top and bottom, externally extended terminal and contact elements and movable contacts cooperatively associated to make electrical contact therewith mounted and supported in the housing unit, an operating member slidably mounted in hearings in the housing, means for actuating said movable contacts by the movement of said operating member, a cover for the housing, a traction magnet assembly provided with resilient conductor bars supported thereon and positioned yieldably to engage the terminal contact elements of the housing unit for separable connection therewith and said magnet assembly including a movable armature positioned to transmit motion to the operating member.

2. A relay switch structure comprising a separable switch housing unit open on at least one side thereof, externally extended terminal contacts and movable contacts cooperatively associated therewith for closing of the circuits therebetween and supported in the housing unit, an operating member mounted in bearings in the housing, a cover for the housing. a traction magnet assembly provided with resilient conductor bars supported thereon and positioned to engage the terminal contact of the housing unit for yieldable connection therewith and said magnet assembly including a movable armature and an adjustable connection between the armature and operating member.

3. A relay switch structure comprising a separable open sided switch housing unit, terminal contact members and movable contacts cooperatively associated with the terminal contact members for making electrical contact therewith and supported in the housing, an operating member positioned in bearings in the housing, a traction magnet assembly provided with resilient conductor bars supported thereon and positioned yieldingly to engage the terminal contact members of the housing unit for separable connection therewith, said magnet assembly including a movable armature having a detachable fork connection to the operating member.

4. A relay switch structure adapted for base connection and including a rectangular, separable switch housing unit open at its top and bottom sides, an upper series of externally headed terminal contact pins inserted in apertures in the opposite side Walls of the housing unit to be detachably supported therein, a series of bearing pins inserted in apertures in the housing, supporting members journalled on thebearing pins, movable switch spring elements detachably carried by the supporting member, detachable terminal members clamped on the housing and arranged to overlie the ends of the bearing pins, flexible connections from the switch elements to the detachable terminal members, an operating member extending longitudinally of and slidable in the housing unit and connected to move the switch elements. a cover for the housing unit, a base assembly upon which the housing unit is detachably supported and including therein electromechanical transducing means transmitting motion to the operating member and resilient conductor bars supported on said base assembly and adapted yieldingly to engage the terminal members oi the housing unit for separable connection therewith, thereby aiiording sub-base connection to said structure.

5. A relay switch structure for sub-base connection including a separable switch housing unit and a base structure, externally exposed terminal members supported by the housing and arranged in upper and lower series, movable contacts supported by the housing, an operating member connected to move the movable contacts, said base structure assembly provided with resilient conductor bars positioned yieldingly to engage the terminal members, and including therein means to transmit motion to the operating member, said movable contacts being positioned relative to co-acting contacts alternatively to make electrical contact with diflerent ,contacts when moved in opposite directions,

whereby connection may be made beneath said base structure.

6. An electromagnetic relay adapted for rapid assembly, sub-base connection and disconnection, including a magnet assembly consisting of a core, a winding surrounding said core, an armature and resilient conductor bars supported in spaced relation on the magnet assembly, said assembly constituting a base structure, stationary and movable contact members mounted within a housing structure as a separable unit, terminal connections for the contact members spaced for registration with the conductor bars for 'separable circuit closing engagement therewith,

means for detachably mounting said housing upon the magnet assembly and means associated with the armature for actuating said movable contacts.

7. An electromagnetic relay having a contact portion and a base, said base including a magnet assembly consisting of a core, a winding surrounding said core, an armature and resilient conductor bars supported in spaced relation by the magnet assembly, said contact portion including stationary and movable contact members mounted within a housing structure as a separable unit, terminal connections for the contact members spaced for registration with the conductor bars for separable circuit closing engagement therewith, means for detachably mounting said housing upon the magnet assembly, contact actuating means carried by the housing unit, operating means associated with the armature for engagement with the actuating means and said terminal connections and conductor bars and said actuating means and operating means having uni-directional assembling relation, whereby is formed a quick detachable and sub-base connected structure.

8. An electromagnetic relay having a contact portion and a base portion, said base portion including a magnet assembly consisting of a core, a winding surrounding said core, an armature and conductor bars supported in spaced relation by the magnetic assembly, said contact portion including stationary and movable contact members mounted within a housing structure as a separable unit, terminal connections for the contact members spaced for registration with the conductor bars for separable circuit closing engagement therewith, means for detachably mounting said housing upon the magnetic assembly. a contact actuating member slidably bearing in the housing unit, operating means connected with the armature and formed for separable engagement with the actuating member and said terminal connections and conductor bars and said actuating member and operating means having uni-directional, separable assembling relation, whereby the assembled relay aflords subbase connection thereto.

9. A relay switch structure comprising a switch housing, stationary contact members in said housing and external terminals therefor, movable contacts in said housing to engage said stationary contact members, an operating member for said movable contacts mounted in bearings in the casing, a magnet assembly, said housing and magnet assembly being formed for 'ready assembly and disassembly, and conductor devices extending from said magnet assembly in positions corresponding to those of said terminals for the fixed contact members and having spring urged terminals for separable engagement therewith, said magnet assembly including an armature positioned to engage and transmit motion to said operating member.

10. A relay switch structure comprising .a switch housing, externally exposed terminal elements supported by the housing and arranged in upper and lower series staggered with respect to each other, fixed contacts in said housing electrically connected respectively to the terminal elements of one of said series, movable contacts in said housing to engage alternately certain of said fixed contacts and electrically connected respectively to the terminal elements of the other series, an operating member connected to move said movable contacts in opposite directions, a magnet assembly, said housing and said magnet assembly being formed for ready assembly and disassembly, and conductor devices extending from said magnet assembly in accordance with the spacing of said terminal elements and having at their ends spring urged terminal parts for separable engagement therewith, said magnet assembly including an armature positioned to engage and impart motion to said operating member.

GERALD DEAKIN REFERENCES CITED The following references are oi record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Clare "Type E" Relay. page 79 of Electronics (Magazine) (Publication). 

